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Michael Scott, fictional manager of the Scranton, Pa., branch of
paper company Dunder-Mifflin on popular NBC sitcom The
Office, has become a symbol of bone-headed bosses
everywhere. Over seven seasons, Michael made us laugh, groan and
occasionally feel sympathy for him. One thing he didn't give in
abundance was good management.

Steve Carell, who played Michael, departed in 2011 but is
reportedly returning for the final episode Thursday night. With
The Office ending after nine seasons, it's the perfect
time for a look back at a few of Michael's memorable management
gaffes -- and the lessons you can learn from them.

Gaffe No. 1: Fan the flames of diversity
issues.
In season one, Dunder-Mifflin's corporate headquarters orders
racial-sensitivity training for Michael's office. But he hijacks
the proceedings and organizes his own diversity seminar. This
quickly devolves into employees slapping index cards marked with
different races on their foreheads, then attempting to guess
their new racial identity based on clues provided by a coworker.

Needless to say, these clues relate to offensive stereotypes
about the "races" in question, which include "Italian" and
"Jamaican." "Stir the pot!" Michael encourages his receptionist,
Pam, when she is reluctant to participate. "Stir the melting
pot!"

The worst part? The tolerance seminar was only required in the
first place because of Michael's offensive imitation of a Chris
Rock comedy routine.

Lesson: This is definitely not the way to
promote a tolerant work environment.

Gaffe No. 2: Hog the spotlight.
When Jim, one of Michael's employees, allows fellow staffer
Phyllis to play Santa Claus at the office Christmas party in
season six, Michael is outraged at the loss of his traditional
role. Throwing a tantrum, he turns his Santa suit inside out, so
that it looks as if he's wearing a white robe. He emerges from
his office to declare himself Jesus Christ, apparently thinking
Jesus is the only Christmas figure who can trump Santa.

"All I want to be is Santa," Michael says. "And if you want to
take that away from me, fine, go ahead. But when you need my help
because I am ruining everything, don't look at me!"

Lesson: As a business owner, don't let your ego
get tied to such petty things. And don't try to hog all the
holiday spirit for yourself. Spread some good cheer among your
staff, and they will look up to you instead of resenting you.

Gaffe No. 3: Try to force camaraderie among your
employees.
In season two, Michael plans a team-building leadership event for
his staff. The only problem is that it takes place on a booze
cruise in the middle of a Northeastern winter. Needless to say,
the staff isn't thrilled. To make matters worse, Michael breaks
out some awkward moves on the dance floor. "Sometimes you have to
take a break from being the kind of boss who's always trying to
teach people things," he reflects. "Sometimes you have to just be
the boss dancing."

Why a cruise? Michael had an epiphany that, as he put it, "the
word 'ship' is hidden inside the word 'leadership.'"

Lesson: Real leaders know how to create a
dynamic company culture without resorting to cheesy team-building
events.